Hawkins expansion plan is open for public review

St. Paul, Minn. — Hawkins Inc. has proposed an expansion to an existing chemical storage facility in Rosemount. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed expansion, and is making the document available for public comment through June 11, 2014.

The EAW is meant to describe the ways in which the proposed expansion could affect air, water, land use and habitat, as well as potential community impacts such as odors, noise, dust and vehicle traffic.

The existing Hawkins facility is located on a 28-acre site at 12955 Courthouse Boulevard in Rosemount. This facility is used to store bulk liquid chemicals that are used in the food, agriculture, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries. The company has proposed adding eight new storage tanks at the facility, which will increase its storage capacity for hazardous materials to 1.5 million gallons.

The public is invited to review and comment on the EAW, which is available on the MPCA’s website at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oxpg691. The MPCA will use the comments it receives to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project, and to decide whether a more comprehensive environmental review, an Environmental Impact Statement, is needed.

Comments must be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on June 11, 2014 to Karen Kromar, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194, by email to karen.kromar@state.mn.us, or by fax to 651-757-2856. Copies of the EAW are also available for review at this address, or upon request by calling 651-757-2101. Questions should be directed to Kromar at 651-757-2508.